Talk about a scary scene.
It’s the best day in motorsports today, with the day getting started over in Monaco with the F1 race, then the IndyCar series with the Indianapolis 500, and NASCAR capping off the night with the Coca-Cola 600 (if the weather cooperates).
But a scary moment towards the end of the Indy 500 left many holding their breath as a tire went flying over the catch fence and into the grandstand area.
With just 14 laps to go in the race, Felix Rosenqvist got into the outside wall and went spinning towards the infield grass before suddenly spinning back onto the track and getting clipped by the oncoming car of Kyle Kirkwood.
Kirkwood’s car flipped into the outside wall before coming to a rest on its top, but the collision also sent one of Rosenqvist’s tires flying over the catch fence and straight towards the grandstands filled with fans.
Harrowing moment at the Indy 500 as a tire is flung from Felix Rosenqvist's car, narrowly missing fans, and Kyle Kirkwood is flipped in the collision. pic.twitter.com/38NLWvUFqX
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 28, 2023
Luckily the tire missed the grandstands by what looks to be mere feet, with video showing it flying just to the left of the fans who had to be terrified to see the heavy tire flying in their direction.
How that tire cleared the grandstand is a miracle. #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/AhnSENdcOx
— Rustin Richtarik 🖖 ® (@dieseldog97) May 28, 2023
Apparently a car outside of the grandstands wasn’t so lucky though. Video from after the crash shows the damage the tire did when it landed on the unfortunate car’s hood, crushing the driver’s side headlight area.
Here’s where that flying tire impacted in turn 2
@IMS #indy500 pic.twitter.com/MLexGcUu5q— Andrew Kossack (@AndrewKossack) May 28, 2023
During the red flag as track workers cleaned up the wreck, NBC Sports announced on the broadcast that there were no reports of injuries from the flying tire (other than the car), which is nothing short of a miracle considering how close it came to the crowded grandstands.
But at least one fan is probably going to be upset when they get back to their car to leave the race…
Be careful where you park! Wheels in the air #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/ZTBKYOArOK
— Justin Swanson (@JSWAN_) May 28, 2023
